U.S. patent application number 11/193262 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for architecture for high temperature superconductor wire.
This patent application is currently assigned to American Superconductor Corp.. Invention is credited to Alexis P. Malozemoff, Martin W. Rupich, Urs-Detlev Schoop, Cornelis Leo Hans Thieme, Elliott D. Thompson, Darren Verebelyi.
Application Number | 20060073979 11/193262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37709281 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060073979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thieme; Cornelis Leo Hans ;
et al. |
April 6, 2006 |
Architecture for high temperature superconductor wire
Abstract
A laminated superconductor wire includes a superconductor wire
assembly, which includes a first superconductor insert comprising a
first high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a first
substrate and a second superconductor insert comprising a second
high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a second
substrate. The first and second superconductor inserts are joined
together at their respective substrates. An electrically conductive
structure substantially surrounds the superconductor wire
assembly.
Inventors: |
Thieme; Cornelis Leo Hans;
(Westborough, MA) ; Malozemoff; Alexis P.;
(Lexington, MA) ; Rupich; Martin W.; (Framingham,
MA) ; Schoop; Urs-Detlev; (Westborough, MA) ;
Thompson; Elliott D.; (Coventry, RI) ; Verebelyi;
Darren; (Oxford, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP
60 STATE STREET
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
American Superconductor
Corp.
|
Family ID: |
37709281 |
Appl. No.: |
11/193262 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60615289 |
Oct 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
505/434 ;
257/E39.018 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 39/248 20130101;
H01L 39/143 20130101; Y10S 428/93 20130101; Y10S 505/702 20130101;
Y10S 505/701 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
505/434 |
International
Class: |
H01L 39/24 20060101
H01L039/24 |
Claims
1. A laminated superconductor wire, comprising: a superconductor
wire assembly, said assembly having a length and a width, said
assembly comprising a first superconductor insert comprising a
first high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a first
substrate, and a second superconductor insert comprising a second
high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a second
substrate, wherein the first and second superconductor inserts are
joined together at their respective substrates; and an electrically
conductive structure substantially surrounding the superconductor
wire assembly.
2. The wire of claim 1, wherein the first and second superconductor
layers comprise a rare earth-alkaline earth-copper oxide.
3. The wire of claim 2, further comprising a first buffer layer
interposed between the first superconductor layer and the first
substrate, and a second buffer layer interposed between the second
superconductor layer and the second substrate.
4. The wire of claim 3, further comprising a first electrically
conductive cap layer interposed between and in electrical contact
with the first superconductor layer and the electrically conductive
structure, and a second electrically conductive cap layer
interposed between and in electrical contact with the second
superconductor layer and the electrically conductive structure.
5. The wire of claim 4, wherein a bonding material bonds the first
substrate and second substrate together.
6. The wire of claim 5, wherein the bonding material comprises a
material selected from the group of electrically conductive
materials and electrically nonconductive materials.
7. The wire of claim 5, wherein the first substrate and second
substrate have surfaces that are treated to provide electrical
contact between the substrates.
8. The wire of claim 5, wherein the bonding material comprises at
least one layer of a conductive material and at least one layer of
a non-conductive material.
9. The wire of claim 5, wherein the first and second substrates
have a corresponding first and second wetting layer deposited on a
surface of the substrate that opposes the surface that the HTS
layer overlays.
10. The wire of claim 5, wherein the electrically conductive
structure comprises: a first conductive strip and a second
conductive strip, wherein the superconductor wire assembly is
interposed between and is in electrical contact with the first and
second conductive strips; and a substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler, wherein the filler extends between
the first and second conductive strips along the length of the
superconductor wire assembly.
11. The wire of claim 10, wherein the first and second conductive
strips comprise a metal independently selected from the group of
aluminum, copper, silver, nickel, iron, stainless steel, aluminum
alloy, copper alloy, silver alloy, nickel alloy, and iron
alloy.
12. The wire of claim 10, wherein the first and second conductive
strips have a width that is greater than the width of the
superconductor wire assembly.
13. The wire of claim 12, wherein the width of the first and second
conductive strips is between 0.01 and 2 mm greater than the width
of the superconductor wire assembly.
14. The wire of claim 10, wherein the first and second conductive
strips have a thickness between 0.01 and 2 mm.
15. The wire of claim 10, wherein the substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler has a thickness between 0.005 and 1
mm along a side of the superconductor wire assembly.
16. The wire of claim 10, wherein the substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler comprises a material selected from
the group of solder, metal, metal alloy, metal amalgam, and
conductive polymer.
17. The wire of claim 10, wherein the bonding material comprises
the substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler.
18. The wire of claim 10, further comprising a layer of conductive
material substantially surrounding the superconductor wire
assembly.
19. The wire of claim 18, wherein the layer of conductive material
is selected from the group of metal, electrically conductive
polymer, polymer filled with fine metal powder, and conductive
glue.
20. The wire of claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive
structure comprises: an electrically conductive layer that
partially surrounds and is in electrical contact with the
superconductor wire assembly along at least three sides; and a
substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler, wherein the
filler substantially surrounds the superconductor wire assembly and
bonds it to the conductive layer.
21. The wire of claim 20, wherein the electrically conductive layer
comprises a metal selected from the group of aluminum, copper,
silver, nickel, iron, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper
alloy, silver alloy, nickel alloy, and iron alloy.
22. The wire of claim 20, wherein the electrically conductive layer
has a thickness between 0.0001 and 1 mm.
23. The wire of claim 20, wherein the substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler substantially fills voids in the
superconductor wire assembly and between the superconductor wire
assembly and the conductive layer.
24. The wire of claim 20, wherein the substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler comprises a material selected from
the group of solder, metal, metal alloy, metal amalgam, and
conductive polymer.
25. The wire of claim 20, wherein the layer of conductive material
is selected from the group of metal, electrically conductive
polymer, polymer filled with fine metal powder, and conductive
glue.
26. The wire of claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive
structure comprises an electrically conductive material
substantially surrounding and in electrical contact with the
superconductor wire assembly.
27. The wire of claim 26, wherein the electrically conductive
material comprises a material selected from the group of
electrically conductive polymer, polymer filled with fine metal
powder, and conductive glue.
28. The wire of claim 26, wherein the electrically conductive
material comprises a conductive foil wrapped around said
superconductor wire assembly.
29. The wire of claim 28, wherein the conductive foil comprises a
metal selected from the group of aluminum, copper, silver, nickel,
iron, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, silver alloy,
nickel alloy, and iron alloy.
30. The wire of claim 29, further comprising at least one layer of
a substantially nonporous material substantially surrounding the
conductive foil.
31. The wire of claim 30, wherein the substantially nonporous
material is selected from the group of solder, electrically
conductive polymer, polymer filled with fine metal powder,
conductive glue, and electrically nonconductive polymer.
32. A laminated superconductor wire, comprising: a superconductor
wire insert, said insert having a length and a width, said insert
comprising a high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a
surface of a substrate; a wetting layer deposited on a surface of
the substrate opposing the high temperature superconductor layer;
and an electrically conductive structure substantially surrounding
the superconductor wire insert, wherein the electrically conductive
structure comprises: a first conductive strip and a second
conductive strip, wherein the superconductor wire insert is
interposed between and is in electrical contact with the first and
second conductive strips; and a substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler, wherein the filler extends between
the first and second conductive strips along the length of the
superconductor wire insert.
33. The wire of claim 32, wherein the first and second conductive
strips comprise a metal independently selected from the group of
aluminum, copper, silver, nickel, iron, stainless steel, aluminum
alloy, copper alloy, silver alloy, nickel alloy, and iron
alloy.
34. The wire of claim 32, wherein the first and second conductive
strips have a width that is greater than the width of the
superconductor wire assembly.
35. The wire of claim 34, wherein the width of the first and second
conductive strips is between 0.01 and 2 mm greater than the width
of the superconductor wire assembly.
36. The wire of claim 32, wherein the first and second conductive
strips have a thickness between 0.01 and 2 mm.
37. The wire of claim 32, wherein the filler has a thickness
between 0.005 and 1 mm along a side of the superconductor wire
insert.
38. The wire of claim 32, wherein the substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler comprises a material selected from
the group of solder, metal, metal alloy, metal amalgam, and
conductive polymer.
39. The wire of claim 32, further comprising a layer of conductive
material substantially surrounding the superconductor wire
insert.
40. The wire of claim 39, wherein the layer of conductive material
is selected from the group of metal, electrically conductive
polymer, polymer filled with fine metal powder, and conductive
glue.
41. The wire of claim 32, wherein the first and second
superconductor layers comprise a rare earth-alkaline earth-copper
oxide.
42. The wire of claim 32, further comprising a buffer layer
interposed between the superconductor layer and the substrate.
43. The wire of claim 42, further comprising an electrically
conductive cap layer interposed between and in electrical contact
with the superconductor layer and the electrically conductive
structure.
44. A method of making a laminated superconductor wire, the method
comprising: providing a superconductor wire assembly, said assembly
having a length and a width, said assembly comprising a first
superconductor insert having a first high temperature
superconductor layer overlaying a first substrate, and a second
superconductor insert having a second high temperature
superconductor layer overlaying a second substrate, wherein the
first and second superconductor inserts are joined together at
their respective substrates; and simultaneously laminating the
first and second high temperature superconductor layers to
corresponding first and second conductive strips with a
substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler, and
depositing additional filler between the first and second
conductive strips along the length of the superconductor wire
assembly, such that the first and second conductive strips and the
filler together substantially surround the superconductor wire
assembly.
45. The method of claim 44, further comprising providing a bonding
material between the first and second substrate.
46. The method of claim 45, further comprising providing first and
second wetting layers on a surface of the corresponding first and
second substrates opposite the high temperature superconductor
layer.
47. The method of claim 44, further comprising providing a first
buffer layer interposed between the first superconductor layer and
the first substrate, and a second buffer layer and the second
substrate.
48. The method of claim 47, further comprising providing a first
electrically conductive cap layer interposed between the first
superconductor layer and the first conductive strip, and a second
electrically conductive cap layer interposed between the second
superconductor layer and the second conductive strip.
49. A superconductor wire assembly, comprising: a first
superconductor insert comprising: a first substrate; a first buffer
layer overlaying the first substrate; a first high temperature
superconductor layer overlaying the first buffer layer; and a cap
layer overlaying the first high temperature superconductor layer;
and a second superconductor insert comprising: a second substrate;
a second buffer layer overlaying the second substrate; a second
high temperature superconductor layer overlaying the second buffer
layer; and a cap layer overlaying the first high temperature
superconductor layer; wherein the first and second superconductor
inserts are joined together at their respective substrates.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to the following applications,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference:
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on an even
date herewith and entitled "High Temperature Superconductive Wires
and Coils;"
[0003] U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. ______, filed on an
even date herewith and entitled "Thick Superconductor Films With
Improved Performance;" and
[0004] U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/615,289, filed on
Oct. 1, 2004 and entitled "Thick Superconductor Films With Improved
Performance."
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0005] This invention relates to the field of high temperature
superconductors. In particular, the invention relates to coated
conductor, also called second generation, high temperature
superconductor wires and tapes.
BACKGROUND
[0006] High temperature superconductor (HTS) materials provide a
means for carrying extremely large amounts of current with
extremely low loss. HTS materials lose all resistance to the flow
of direct electrical current and nearly all resistance to the flow
of alternating current when cooled below a critical temperature.
The development of HTS wires (the expression "wires" is used here
for a variety of conductors, including tape-like conductors) using
these materials promises a new generation of high efficiency,
compact, and environmentally friendly electrical equipment, which
has the potential to revolutionize electric power grids,
transportation, materials processing, and other industries. However
a commercially viable product has stringent engineering
requirements, which has complicated the implementation of the
technology in commercial applications.
[0007] In the second generation HTS wire technology, currently
under development, the HTS material is generally a polycrystalline
rare-earth/alkaline-earth/copper oxide, e.g. yttrium-barium-copper
oxide (YBCO). The current carrying capability of the HTS material
is strongly related to its crystalline alignment or texture. Grain
boundaries formed by the misalignment of neighboring crystalline
HTS grains are known to form an obstacle to superconducting current
flow, but this obstacle decreases with the increasing degree of
alignment or texture. Therefore to make the material into a
commercially viable product, e.g. an HTS wire, the HTS material
must maintain a high degree of crystalline alignment or texture
over relatively long distances. Otherwise, the superconducting
current carrying capacity (critical current density) will be
limited.
[0008] HTS materials can be fabricated with a high degree of
crystallographic alignment or texture over large areas by growing a
thin layer of the material epitaxially on top of a flexible
tape-shaped substrate, fabricated so that it has a high degree of
crystallographic texture at its surface. When the crystalline HTS
material is grown epitaxially on this surface, the crystal
alignment of the HTS material grows to match the texture of the
substrate. In other words, the substrate texture provides a
template for the epitaxial growth of the crystalline HTS material.
Further, the substrate provides structural integrity to the HTS
layer.
[0009] A substrate can be textured to provide a template that
yields an epitaxial HTS layer with excellent superconducting
properties such as high critical current density. Materials such as
nickel, copper, silver, iron, silver alloys, nickel alloys, iron
alloys, stainless steel alloys, and copper alloys can be used,
among others. The substrate can be textured using a deformation
process, such as one involving rolling and recrystallization
annealing the substrate. An example of such a process is the
rolling-assisted biaxially textured substrate (RABiTS) process. In
this case large quantities of metal can be processed economically
by deformation processing and annealing and can achieve a high
degree of texture. Strips of metal as wide as, e.g., 4 cm have thus
far been produced by this method, which can each then be slit into
numerous smaller wires (e.g. 10 strips of 0.4 cm wires).
[0010] One or more buffer layers can be deposited or grown on the
substrate surface with suitable crystallographic template on which
to grow the HTS material. Buffer layers also can provide the
additional benefit of preventing diffusion over time of atoms from
the substrate material into the crystalline lattice of the HTS
material or of oxygen into the substrate material. This diffusion,
or "poisoning," can disrupt the crystalline alignment and thereby
degrade the electrical properties of the HTS material. Buffer
layers also can provide enhanced adhesion between the substrate and
the HTS layer. Moreover, the buffer layer(s) can have a coefficient
of thermal expansion that is well matched to that of the
superconductor material. For implementation of the technology in
commercial applications, where the wire may be subjected to stress,
this feature is desirable because it can help prevent delamination
of the HTS layer from the substrate.
[0011] Alternatively, a non-textured substrate such as Hastelloy
can be used, and textured buffer layers deposited by means such as
the ion-beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) or inclined substrate
deposition (ISD). Additional buffer layers may be optionally
deposited epitaxially on the IBAD or ISD layer to provide the final
template for epitaxial deposition of an HTS layer.
[0012] By using a suitable combination of a substrate and one or
more buffer layers as a template, an HTS layer can be grown
epitaxially with excellent crystal alignment or texture, also
having good adhesion to the template surface, and with a sufficient
barrier to poisoning by atoms from the substrate. The HTS layer can
be deposited by any of a variety of methods, including the
metal-organic deposition (MOD) process, metal-organic chemical
vapor deposition (MOCVD), pulsed laser deposition (PLD), thermal or
e-beam evaporation, or other appropriate methods. Lastly, a cap
layer can be added to the multilayer assembly, which helps prevent
contamination of the HTS layer from above. The cap layer can be,
e.g., silver, and can be, e.g., sputtered onto the HTS layer. An
exemplary multilayer HTS assembly includes a biaxially textured
substrate of nickel with 5% tungsten alloy; sequentially deposited
epitaxial layers of Y.sub.2O.sub.3, YSZ, and CeO.sub.2; epitaxial
layer of YBCO; and a cap layer of Ag. Exemplary thicknesses of
these layers are: a substrate of about 25-75 microns, buffer layers
of about 75 nm each, a YBCO layer of about 1 micron, and a cap
layer of about 1-3 microns. HTS wires as long as 100 m have been
manufactured thus far using techniques such as those described
above. In this assembly the bottom of the substrate can be
considered the "back" of the assembly, and the top of the cap layer
can be considered the "front."
[0013] During use, it is desirable that the HTS wire is able to
tolerate bend strains. A bend induces tensile strain on the convex
outer surface of the bend, and compressive strain on the concave
inner surface of the bend, thereby subjecting the HTS layer to
tensile or compressive strains depending on the direction in which
the wire is bent. While a modest amount of compressive stress can
actually enhance the current carrying capacity of an HTS layer, in
general subjecting the whole assembly to stress (especially
repeated stress) places the wire at risk of mechanical damage. For
example, cracks could be formed and propagate in the HTS layer,
degrading its mechanical and electrical properties, or the
different layers could delaminate from each other or from the
substrate.
[0014] Methods for reducing stress in the HTS layer are described,
e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,059 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,507. For
example, a copper strip, chosen to have similar thickness and
mechanical features to the substrate, can be bonded onto the upper
surface of the insert. This sandwiches the HTS layer roughly in the
middle of the overall structure, so if the assembly is bent, the
HTS layer is neither at the outer nor inner surface of the bend.
Two of these assemblies can also be bonded together at their
respective copper strips to form a single HTS wire assembly. In
this case, the two substrates face outward, and the copper tapes
are in the middle of the assembly. In this case the inclusion of a
second assembly provides additional current carrying capacity;
however, electrical contact to the HTS layers requires splicing the
wire open, or partially removing one of the inserts in the contact
section.
[0015] A further issue for coated conductor HTS wires is that of
environmental contamination when the wire is in use. Environmental
exposure can slowly degrade the electrical performance of HTS
layers. Also, in the presence of cryogenic liquids such as liquid
nitrogen in contact with the wire, the liquid can diffuse into
pores within the wire, and on warming can form "balloons" that can
damage the wire. Sealing the wire is desirable to prevent either
environmental exposure of the HTS layers or penetration of the
liquid cryogen into the wire. Seals for HTS assemblies are
described in, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,444,917.
SUMMARY
[0016] Multilayer high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires are
described having improved current sharing, good mechanical
properties, superior isolation of the HTS assembly from the
environment, more efficient electrical contact with external
electrical connections or joints, and/or enhanced electrical
stabilization. HTS wires having electrical stabilization that
protects the HTS layers in the case of an overcurrent, i.e. a
current that exceeds the critical current of the HTS layers, also
are described. An overcurrent can cause the HTS layers to become
resistive, and to generate heat. Electrical stabilization provides
an alternate current path if current flow in a local region of an
HTS layer is blocked by a crack or other defect.
[0017] A laminated superconductor wire, according to one aspect of
the invention, includes a superconductor wire assembly having a
length and a width. The assembly includes a first superconductor
insert having a first high temperature superconductor layer
overlaying a first substrate, and a second superconductor insert
having a second high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a
second substrate. The first and second superconductor inserts are
joined together at their respective substrates. An electrically
conductive structure substantially surrounding the superconductor
wire assembly is also included.
[0018] In one aspect of the invention, the electrically conductive
structure includes a first conductive strip and a second conductive
strip, and the superconductor wire assembly is interposed between
and is in electrical contact with the first and second conductive
strips. The structure also includes a substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler. The filler extends between the
first and second conductive strips along the length of the
superconductor wire assembly. In one or more embodiments, the first
and second conductive strips have a width that is greater than the
width of the superconductor wire assembly.
[0019] In another aspect of the invention, the electrically
conductive structure includes an electrically conductive layer that
partially surrounds and is in electrical contact with the
superconductor wire assembly along at least three sides. The
structure also includes a substantially nonporous electrically
conductive filler, wherein the filler substantially surrounds the
superconductor wire assembly and bonds it to the conductive layer.
In one or more embodiments, the substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler substantially fills voids in the
superconductor wire assembly and between the superconductor wire
assembly and the conductive layer.
[0020] In another aspect of the invention, the electrically
conductive structure includes an electrically conductive material
substantially surrounding and in electrical contact with the
superconductor wire assembly. In one or more embodiments, the
electrically conductive material includes a material selected from
the group of electrically conductive polymers, polymers filled with
fine metal powder, and conductive glue.
[0021] In one or more embodiments, the electrically conductive
material includes a conductive foil wrapped around the
superconductor wire assembly. In one or more embodiments, at least
one layer of a substantially nonporous material substantially
surrounds the conductive foil.
[0022] In one or more embodiments, a bonding material bonds the
first substrate and second substrate together. The bonding material
may be a material selected from the group of electrically
conductive materials and electrically nonconductive materials. The
bonding material may include the same material as the substantially
nonporous electrically conductive filler. The bonding material may
include at least one layer of a conductive material and at least
one layer of a non-conductive material. In one or more embodiments,
the first substrate and second substrate have surfaces that are
treated to provide electrical contact between the substrates.
[0023] In one or more embodiments, the first and second substrates
have a corresponding first and second wetting layer deposited on a
surface of the substrate that opposes the surface that the HTS
layer overlays.
[0024] In one or more embodiments, a layer of conductive material
substantially surrounds the superconductor wire assembly.
[0025] In another aspect of the invention, a laminated
superconductor wire includes a superconductor wire insert, having a
length and a width. The insert includes a high temperature
superconductor layer overlaying a surface of a substrate, and a
wetting layer deposited on a surface of the substrate opposing the
high temperature superconductor layer. The wire also includes an
electrically conductive structure, which substantially surrounds
the superconductor wire insert. The electrically conductive
structure includes a first conductive strip and a second conductive
strip, wherein the superconductor wire insert is interposed between
and is in electrical contact with the first and second conductive
strips. The electrically conductive structure also includes a
substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler, which
extends between the first and second conductive strips along the
length of the superconductor wire insert.
[0026] In one or more embodiments, the first and second conductive
strips have a width that is greater than the width of the
superconductor wire assembly.
[0027] In one or more embodiments, a a layer of conductive material
substantially surrounds the superconductor wire insert.
[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, a method of making
a laminated superconductor wire includes providing a superconductor
wire assembly having a length and a width. The assembly includes a
first superconductor insert, having a first high temperature
superconductor layer overlaying a first substrate, and a second
superconductor insert having a second high temperature
superconductor layer overlaying a second substrate. The first and
second superconductor inserts are joined together at their
respective substrates. The method includes laminating the first and
second high temperature superconductor layers to corresponding
first and second conductive strips with a substantially nonporous
electrically conductive filler. The method includes depositing
additional filler between the first and second conductive strips
along the length of the superconductor wire assembly, such that the
first and second conductive strips and the filler together
substantially surround the superconductor wire assembly.
[0029] In one or more embodiments, the method includes providing a
bonding material between the first and second substrate. In one or
more embodiments, the method includes providing first and second
wetting layers on a surface of the corresponding first and second
substrates opposite the high temperature superconductor layer.
[0030] In one or more embodiments of the invention, the first
and/or second superconductor layers may be made from a rare
earth-alkaline earth-copper oxide. Also, a buffer layer may be
interposed between the first and/or second superconductor layers
and the one or more corresponding substrates. Also, an electrically
conductive cap layer may be interposed between, and in electrical
contact with, the electrically conductive structure and a
corresponding superconductor layer.
[0031] In another aspect of the invention, a superconductor wire
assembly includes: a first superconductor insert, which includes a
first substrate, a first buffer layer overlaying the first
substrate, a first high temperature superconductor layer overlaying
the first buffer layer, and a cap layer overlaying the first high
temperature superconductor layer; and a second superconductor
insert, which includes a second substrate, a second buffer layer
overlaying the second substrate, a second high temperature
superconductor layer overlaying the second buffer layer, and a cap
layer overlaying the first high temperature superconductor layer.
The first and second superconductor inserts are joined together at
their respective substrates.
[0032] The laminated superconductor wires, according to one or more
embodiments of the invention, have a high current carrying
capacity, and at the same time may have improved current sharing,
superior isolation of the HTS assembly from the environment, and
ease of use over previously known wire architectures.
[0033] The expression "HTS insert" is intended to indicate a
multilayer structure including a substrate, one or more buffer
layers, an HTS layer, and a cap layer. Generally in this HTS
insert, the HTS layer is electrically isolated from the metallic
substrate by the buffer layer(s). However, if electrically
conductive buffer layers are used, the HTS layer can be
electrically connected to the metal substrate. Alternatively, an
electrically conductive cap layer can be in contact with both the
HTS layer and the substrate, and provide electrical contact between
the two.
[0034] The expression "HTS assembly" is intended to indicate a
structure that includes at least one HTS insert, but which may
possibly include one or more HTS inserts and/or other added layers.
The expression "HTS wire" or "HTS tape" is intended to indicate an
HTS insert or assembly that includes an outer structure or coating
that generally provides structural, thermal, and/or electrical
stabilization to the HTS insert or assembly.
[0035] The expression "sealed" is intended to mean substantially
surrounded and substantially physically isolated from the
environment. The expression "sealed" may include, but is not
required to include, substantial impermeability to penetration from
gas or liquid under normal circumstances.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The invention is described with reference to the following
figures, which are presented for the purpose of illustration only
and which are not intended to be limiting of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly
having two HTS inserts joined at their substrates.
[0038] FIG. 2A shows a wire having HTS inserts that are bonded
together and are laminated and sealed between two conductive
stabilizer strips.
[0039] FIG. 2B shows a method of making a wire having HTS inserts
that are bonded together and are laminated and sealed between two
conductive stabilizer strips.
[0040] FIG. 3A shows a wire having two bonded HTS inserts that are
sealed inside of a three-sided conductive trough.
[0041] FIG. 3B shows a wire having an alternate arrangement of two
bonded HTS inserts that are sealed inside of a three-sided
conductive trough.
[0042] FIG. 4A shows a wire having two bonded HTS inserts that are
sealed inside of a four-sided conductive structure.
[0043] FIG. 4B shows a wire having an alternate arrangement of two
bonded HTS inserts that are sealed inside of a four-sided
conductive structure.
[0044] FIG. 5A shows a cross sectional view of a wire having two
bonded HTS inserts that are wrapped with conductive foil and then
coated with solder.
[0045] FIG. 5B shows a lengthwise view of a wire having two bonded
HTS inserts that are wrapped with conductive foil and then coated
with solder.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows a wire having two bonded HTS inserts that are
electroplated with metal and then laminated and sealed between two
conductive stabilizer strips.
[0047] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional illustration of another
embodiment of the present invention, showing a wire having two HTS
inserts that are bonded at their substrates, and are sealed inside
of an electrically conductive structure.
[0048] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional illustration of another
embodiment of the present invention, showing a wire having a single
HTS insert and a wetting layer, and sealed inside of an
electrically conductive structure.
[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary process
used to manufacture an HTS insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] High temperature superconducting wires with an electrically
conductive outer structure are described. The conductive outer
structure has the features, among others, of substantially sealing
the wire and of providing electrical contact from the outside of
the wire to the HTS insert. The conductive outer structure further
may have the feature of providing electrical contact between the
two HTS inserts.
[0051] A multilayer HTS assembly according to one or more
embodiments of the invention is shown in cross-section in FIG. 1.
It should be noted that in this and all subsequent figures, the
dimensions are not to scale. Assembly 100 is made up of two HTS
inserts 110 and 120. Each of these inserts is fabricated using
techniques known in the art and that are described in greater
detail below. Insert 110 includes a metal substrate 160. At least a
surface of substrate 160 is biaxially textured to provide a crystal
template for buffer layer 150 and HTS layer 140. One or more buffer
layer(s) 150 is above substrate 160 and may comprise one or more
layers. In one or more embodiments, the buffer layer is made up of
an electrically insulating material, though electrically conductive
materials can be used. The buffer layer is made up of, e.g., an
inert metal, an oxide, zirconate, titanate, niobate, nitride,
tantalate, aluminate, cuprate, manganate, or ruthenate of a metal
or rare earth element (e.g. Al.sub.2O.sub.3, CeO.sub.2,
Y.sub.2O.sub.3, MgO, Gd.sub.2O.sub.3, strontium titanate,
gadolinium zirconate, yttria-stabilized zirconia, AlN,
Si.sub.3N.sub.4, LaMnO.sub.4, La.sub.2Zr.sub.2O.sub.7, or
La.sub.2-xCe.sub.xZr.sub.2O.sub.7. Any material, or combination of
materials, that provides a suitable texture on which to grow an HTS
crystal can be used. HTS layer 140 is above buffer layer 150 may be
any HTS material. In one or more embodiments, the HTS layer
includes a rare earth-alkaline earth-copper oxide, such as YBCO.
Cap layer 130 is located above HTS layer 140 and provides
protection of the HTS layer from chemical and mechanical
degradation. The cap layer may be sputtered Ag or other inert
metal. Insert 120 may have the identical or similar structure,
including substrate 160', one or more buffer layer(s) 150', HTS
layer 140', and cap layer 130'. Further details may be found in
commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled
"High Temperature Superconducting Wires and Coils," filed on an
even date herewith, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by
reference.
[0052] In order to facilitate bonding between HTS inserts 110 and
120, several different approaches are contemplated. These
approaches can be readily implemented in the fabrication of
laminated superconductor wires, and may be advantageous in
manufacturing long lengths of HTS wire. In one approach, respective
wetting layers 170 and 170' can optionally be coated onto
respective substrates 160 and 160'. These wetting layers facilitate
the bonding of each insert to adhesive layer 180, and therefore
facilitate the bonding of each insert to the other. In one or more
embodiments, adhesive layer 180 is made of solder. An exemplary
solder is Pb--Sn--Ag. During processing, the back surfaces of the
metallic substrates (i.e. the surfaces that do not face the buffer
layer) may grow a native oxide layer, which is an electrical
insulator. This oxide layer typically does not wet solder, i.e.
does not bond to solder. It has been surprisingly discovered that
the addition of Ag wetting layers 170 and 170' to substrates 160
and 160', respectively, makes the back surface wettable, i.e.
bondable, to solder adhesive layer 180. Thus, bonding can be
accomplished by soldering wetting layers that are bonded to the
native oxide surfaces of the substrates.
[0053] Deposition of Ag by DC sputtering is a standard operation.
Translating coated conductor tape thought the plasma in a
continuous mode without degradation of the superconductor
properties requires cooling of the tape as it passes through the
plasma. The tape is pulled across a cooling block that is
positioned opposite the target to minimize the maximum temperature
of the tape during deposition to below .about.200 C. Proximity to
the target may be required for adhesion of the Ag layer on the
oxide surface. Energy imparted from the plasma likely cleans the
deposition surface in situ and deposits the Ag ions with enough
impact energy to make good physical contact.
[0054] In another approach, appropriate for applications where
particularly good electrical contact between the substrates is
desired, the electrically insulating native oxide layers on
substrates 160 and 160' may be first removed. This removal can be
done, e.g., by etching, electro-polishing, sputtering, or shot
blasting. Then metallic wetting layers 170 and 170', e.g., Ag, Cu,
Ni, Ti, or TiN, are coated onto the respective back surfaces of
substrates 160 and 160' to prevent the regrowth of the native oxide
on the substrate surfaces. Additionally these wetting layers 170,
170' promote adhesion of the bonding layer to the substrate
surface. Then solder adhesive layer 180 bonds the two assemblies
together. Rigorous removal of the native oxide layer is not
required, however, in order to achieve electrical contact between
inserts. As is described in greater detail below, the electrical
conductive material that optionally surrounds the multilayer HTS
assembly can provide additional current sharing.
[0055] While the embodiment of FIG. 1 shows the use of solder and
Ag wetting layers to bond the two substrates together, other
adhesive schemes and materials can be used depending on the desired
performance characteristics of the wire. In another approach,
appropriate for applications where electrical isolation of the
substrates from each other is desirable, adhesive layer 180 is for
example a resin, epoxy, or other non-conductive material, and
wetting layers 170 and 170' are selected to facilitate bonding
between substrates 160, 160', and the non-conducting adhesive
layer. In this case it may be that some of the layers are
conductive, and other layers are non-conductive. In applications
where the desired adhesive wets the back substrate surfaces,
wetting layers 170 and 170' can be eliminated entirely. In this
case, adhesive layer 180 directly contacts substrates 160 and 160'.
In another approach, appropriate for applications where neither
electrical communication nor adhesion between substrates 160 and
160' is needed, for example, in applications where the
substantially sealing electrically conductive material provides
sufficient structural integrity to the wire, wetting layers 170 and
170' as well as adhesive layer 180 can be eliminated, in which
case, the back surfaces of substrates 160 and 160' are brought
directly into contact with each other.
[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, adhesive 180 bonds
insert 110 to insert 120 at their respective substrates, creating
HTS assembly 100. Cap layers 130 and 130' face outward in assembly
100, and substrates 160 and 160' are central to assembly 100. This
configuration provides, for example, efficient electrical contact
with an external current source, and efficient joining of lengths
of superconductor wire. The outer surfaces of the assembly are
electrically conductive cap layers 130 and 130'. These layers
provide convenient electrically conductive paths to respective HTS
layers 140 and 140'. In order to introduce current into the HTS
layers, a connection between the current source and the assembly
can be made anywhere on the outer surface of the assembly.
[0057] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention,
having a wire 200 that includes two bonded HTS inserts 210, 220,
which may be the same as previously described, and a conductive
outer structure. The conductive outer structure substantially
surrounds and seals the wire from the environment, and provides
electrical contact between the two HTS inserts as well as to an
external electrical contact. The conductive outer structure further
provides mechanical, thermal, and electrical stabilization to wire
200. The conductive outer structure includes upper and lower
conductive stabilizer strips 250, 270 and electrically conductive
non-porous filler material 290, e.g. solder or another low-melting
temperature alloy or amalgam, a conductive polymer, or a pure metal
such as In. Filler 290 substantially surrounds HTS inserts 210, 220
and also may serve as bonding layer 180, illustrated in the HTS
assembly 100 of FIG. 1. As discussed previously, substrates 260,
260' may be coated with respective wetting layers 230, 230' to
enhance their bonding to filler 290 (and to each other). Filler 290
also bonds inserts 210, 220 to conductive stabilizer strips 250,
270 at the outer surfaces of the HTS inserts. Filler 290 bridges
strips 250, 270 in thick layers on the sides of the wire to thereby
complete the isolation of the HTS assembly from the surrounding
environment and to substantially completely surround the HTS
assembly in a conductive structure.
[0058] Occasionally there can be a defect within an HTS layer,
which causes a corresponding increase in the resistance of (and
heating in) the layer during use of the wire. In this case it can
be useful to divert, or shunt, some or all of the current into
another HTS layer. This results in a more uniform conductor, with a
conductivity that does not vary greatly along the length of the
wire. This is of particular use when the operating current is well
below the critical current, a common practice in the operation of
superconducting devices. A two HTS layer structure using a single
substrate, having two HTS layers that are coated on opposing sides
of the substrate, has been contemplated as a method of implementing
multiple HTS layers in a single wire in order to provide redundant
superconducting pathways. However, this sort of structure suffers
from having a very complicated manufacturing process with limited
flexibility as to the electrical relationship between and
composition of the two HTS layers. In contrast, the embodiments of
the present invention, having two HTS inserts laminated together at
their substrates, offer the benefits of ease of manufacturing, as
well as ease of tailoring the structures to a particular desired
application.
[0059] In wire 200, filler 290 provides electrical communication
between the HTS inserts 210, 220. In essence filler 290 behaves as
a conductive conduit, or bridge. Though filler 290 is conductive,
as current flows through wire 200, the current will generally
follow the path of least resistance, which is through one or both
HTS inserts 210, 220. However if one of HTS inserts 210, 220 has a
defect that increases its resistance in a certain region, the
current can flow through filler 290 into the other HTS insert.
Filler 290 has a higher resistance than HTS inserts 210, 220, so
the current transfers between the inserts over some calculable
length (e.g. a few centimeters) of the wire. The net result of the
transfer is that the current can continue traveling along a low
resistance path, i.e. through the other HTS insert. If there is a
defect at a different region in this insert, then the current can
transfer back to the other insert, which is unlikely to also have a
defect in the same place. The presence of redundant electrical
pathways for the current improves the electrical stability of the
wire. The current capacity of wire 200 is much less sensitive to
local defects in either of HTS inserts 210, 220 than it would be
with a single insert, where the current would be forced through a
high resistance section of the wire.
[0060] Providing electrical communication between HTS inserts 210,
220, with filler 290, also increases the current-carrying capacity
of wire 200 over that of a single insert, or two isolated inserts.
The critical current, Ic, and the engineering (total) critical
current density, Je, are both increased. Filler 290 provides a
means to introduce electrical current into one or both of HTS
inserts 210, 220. By simply contacting a current source to filler
290, current flows via the filler into the HTS inserts. Because
filler 290 is in contact with conductive stabilizer strips 250,
270, contacting a current source to one or both of strips 250, 270
also introduces current to one or both of HTS inserts 210, 220.
[0061] Material 290 is selected such that it is nonporous; in one
or more embodiments, it is has sufficient strength and is coated
with sufficient thickness to substantially surround and seal wire
200. This renders HTS inserts 210 and 220 substantially impervious
to contamination by environmental factors, which can degrade the
electrical performance of the inserts. Filler 290 may also
substantially prevent infiltration of the assemblies by surrounding
cryogenic fluid, which can form balloons that can potentially
mechanically damage the HTS inserts. The thick coating of filler
290 on the sides of wire 200 also adds mechanical strength to the
wire and may help to prevent delamination of wire 200 due to
bending or other sources of potential damage. Material 290 adds
thermal stability to the wire by providing additional heat
capacity.
[0062] Stabilizer strips 250 and 270 further enhance the
mechanical, electrical, and thermal stability of wire 200. Strips
250, 270 can be the same or different, depending upon the desired
characteristics of the resulting wire. The thickness of the strips
can be varied throughout a wide range of about 0.01-2 mm, depending
upon the desired application. For superconducting cables, the
thickness is typically between 0.05-0.075 mm. For a fault current
limiter application, the stabilizer thickness can be as high as or
higher than 1 mm. The material used for strips 250 and 270 is
selected to provide an appropriate electrical, thermal, and
mechanical stability to wire 200 for the desired application.
Strips 250 and 270 are generally a flexible conductive material,
e.g. metal, e.g. aluminum, copper, silver, nickel, iron, stainless
steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, silver alloy, nickel alloy,
nickel tungsten alloy, or iron alloy. For most applications, a high
conductivity metal such as copper is preferred. For a fault current
limiter application, a mechanically strong, high resistivity alloy
such as stainless steel is preferred.
[0063] In some embodiments, stabilizer strips 250 and 270 have a
width that is greater than the width of HTS inserts 210 and 220.
This excess width, or overhang, allows layers or fillets of filler
290 to form along the sides of the wire by capillary action. In a
preferred embodiment, the fillets have a concave profile relative
to the edge of the wire. Because such fillets form by capillary
action, the excess width of strips 250, 270 over the width of HTS
assemblies 210, 220 determines the thickness of the fillet.
Generally, the width of strips 250, 270 fall within the range of
0.01-2 mm greater than the width of HTS assemblies 210, 200. For
example, stabilizer strips with a width of about 4.3 mm can be used
with 4.0 or 4.1 mm wide superconducting inserts. Fillets can
enhance the mechanical strength and durability of wire 200. A wider
fillet enhances strength, but reduces the engineering critical
current density. An optimally designed wire will have sufficient
filler width to meet the mechanical specifications, but not much
more. A typical individual fillet width ranges from 0.025-0.2 mm,
but can be higher or lower (e.g. 0.005-1 mm) to meet specific
strength or engineering critical current needs.
[0064] Among other reasons, thick fillets of filler 290 enhance the
mechanical strength of wire 200 because substrates 260, 260' may
not bond well to solder due to their oxidation during insert
processing, as described previously. While wetting layers (e.g.
230, 230') can be deposited on the substrate surfaces to improve
their bonding to solder, depositing such a coating on the sides of
the wire, e.g., on the exposed edges of the multilayer HTS inserts
210, 220, may not be practical because of increased production
cost. However, thick fillets of filler 290 can be deposited on the
sides of wire 200, such that the filler adheres sufficiently to the
other (non-substrate) layers of the multilayer assembly, and has
sufficient strength, that it will not delaminate from the substrate
sides. Some materials used as filler 290, e.g. Sn--Pb--Ag solders,
strengthen considerably (up to three-fold) when cooled from room
temperature to 77 K, and their contribution to the total strength
can be significant.
[0065] By adjusting the overhang of stabilizer strips 250, 270 over
HTS inserts 210, 220, the fillet can be made appropriately thick.
As a typical example, the following wire can be illustrative: a 40
mm wide conductor is, after completion of all buffer and
superconductor deposition/reaction steps, coated on both sides with
a 0.003 mm thick Ag layer using sputter deposition. The 40 mm wide
conductor is slit in a reel to reel fashion into eight 4.1 mm wide
inserts. Each insert is laminated in a reel-to-reel lamination
process to a 0.05.times.4.3 mm copper 155 stabilizer strip on both
sides, using a Sn--Pb solder to which some Ag can be added. The
resulting wire varies in width between 4.3-4.4 mm. The solder
fillet width is about 0.15-0.2 mm on average.
[0066] Wire 200 may be manufactured as illustrated in FIG. 2B. HTS
wire inserts are fabricated as wide (e.g. about 4 to 10 cm wide)
multilayer strips and then slit lengthwise into several narrow
(e.g. about 10 strips of about 0.4 cm wide, from a 4 cm wide strip)
strips, which form HTS inserts 210, 220. Conductive stabilizer
strips 250, 270 may be wider than the width of the narrow HTS
strip, so that the stabilizer strips overhang the HTS strip on both
sides. After slitting, the wire is formed by joining narrow HTS
insert strips 210, 220 with stabilizer strips 250, 270 in a bath of
filler 290. Multilayer HTS inserts 210, 220, for example, may be
fed into the filler bath from reels. Stabilizer strips 250, 270 may
be fed off reels placed above and below the feed-in reels of HTS
inserts 210, 220 so that the lengths of material form a stacked
configuration. The filler simultaneously surrounds HTS inserts 210,
220 and also laminates them to the conductive stabilizer strips
250, 270. Die 295 merges and consolidates inserts 210, 220 and
stabilizer strips 250, 270 into one superconducting wire 200. By
laminating the stabilizer strips to the wire after fabricating and
slitting the HTS inserts, the stabilizer strips can easily be made
wider than the inserts. The overhanging feature promotes the
capillary wicking of the solder between the upper and lower
stabilizer strips 250, 270 to provide thick, mechanically robust
fillets of filler 290 on the sides of the wire.
[0067] FIG. 3A shows another embodiment of the present invention,
having wire 300 that includes an HTS assembly including two bonded
HTS inserts 310, 320, which may be the same as previously
described, and a conductive outer structure. The conductive outer
structure includes a first component 350 covering 3 sides of the
HTS assembly, e.g., a three-walled trough, which can be assembled,
a single part, or in a plurality of pieces, and electrically
conductive non-porous filler 390. Filler 390, e.g., solder,
surrounds inserts 310, 320 and bonds them together at their
substrates as previously described. Filler 390 provides an
electrical pathway between three-sided component 350 and HTS
inserts 310, 320, and also between the inserts. Filler 390 seals
inserts 310, 320 into three-sided component 350.
[0068] Three-sided component 350 is made from a flexible conductive
material, e.g. metal, e.g. aluminum, copper, silver, nickel, iron,
stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, silver alloy, nickel
alloy, nickel tungsten alloy, or iron alloy. As described above for
stabilizer strips 250 and 270 in FIG. 2A, the material for
three-sided component 350 is selected to provide electrical,
thermal, and mechanical stability to the wire for the desired
application. The walls of the three-sided component can have a
thickness between, for example, 0.0001-0.5 mm, and can be thicker
depending on the desired application (e.g. 0.0001-1 mm).
Three-sided component 350 has a width that is wider than inserts
310 and 320, and a depth that is deeper than the thickness of the
HTS assembly. This allows for a sufficiently thick layer of filler
390 to substantially surround the assembly on all sides and to
substantially seal wire 300. Wire 300 is manufactured by first
providing HTS inserts 310, 320, which can be slit from wide strips
as described previously. Then in a bath of filler 390, e.g. solder,
inserts 310, 320 are simultaneously bonded together, surrounded by
filler 390, inserted into three-sided component 350, and sealed
into the three-sided component.
[0069] FIG. 3B shows a wire having an alternate arrangement of two
bonded HTS inserts 310', 320', which may be the same as previously
described, that are sealed inside of three-sided component 350'.
Electrically conductive non-porous filler 390', e.g., solder,
substantially surrounds inserts 310' and 320' and bonds them
together at their substrates. Filler 390' provides an electrical
pathway to and between HTS inserts 310', 320'. Filler 390' seals
inserts 310', 320' into three-sided component 350', which may be
the same as described previously. In this wire three-sided
component 350' has a width that is wider than the thickness of the
assembly, and a depth that is deeper than the width of the
assembly. This allows for a sufficiently thick layer of filler 390'
to substantially surround the assembly on all sides and to
substantially seal wire 300'. Wire 300' may be manufactured as
described for FIG. 3A.
[0070] FIG. 4A shows a wire 400 having HTS inserts 410, 420, which
may be the same as previously described, that are sealed inside of
a four-walled structure 450, which may provide additional
mechanical stability over the three-walled trough of FIGS. 3A and
3B. Electrically conductive non-porous filler 490, e.g., solder,
surrounds inserts 410, 420 and bonds them together at their
substrates as previously described. Filler 490 provides an
electrical pathway to and between HTS inserts 410, 420. Filler 490
seals inserts 410, 420 into four-walled structure 450. The internal
dimensions of structure 450 are larger than the appropriate
dimensions of bonded HTS inserts 410 and 420. This allows for a
sufficiently thick layer of solder to substantially surround the
inserts on all sides and substantially seal wire 400. Wire 400 can
manufactured by first providing the HTS inserts, which can be slit
from wide strips as described previously. One of the walls of
structure 450 is left open in order to leave an adequate space to
receive HTS inserts 410 and 420. In a solder bath, the inserts are
then simultaneously inserted into structure 450, bonded together,
and surrounded by solder. The open wall of structure 450 is then
mechanically folded over, enclosing the inserts and solder. Solder
fills the gap left from the fold, as can be seen in the figure.
[0071] FIG. 4B shows a wire 400' having an alternate arrangement of
two bonded HTS inserts 410', 420', which may be the same as
previously described, that are sealed inside of four-walled
structure 450'. Electrically conductive non-porous filler 490',
e.g., solder, surrounds inserts 410', 420' and bonds them together
at their substrates as previously described. Filler 490' provides
an electrical pathway to and between HTS inserts 410', 420'. Filler
490' seals inserts 410', 420' into four-walled structure 450'. The
internal dimensions of structure 450' are larger than the
appropriate dimensions of bonded HTS inserts 410', 420'. This
allows for a sufficiently thick layer of solder to surround the
inserts on all sides and seal the structure. Wire 400' may be
manufactured as described for FIG. 4A.
[0072] In another embodiment, shown in different perspectives in
FIGS. 5A and 5B, a thin conductive foil is wrapped around an HTS
assembly. In cross-sectional view FIG. 5A, adhesive 580 bonds
together HTS inserts 510, 520, which may be the same as previously
described. Conductive foil 590 is tightly and contiguously wrapped
around the bonded inserts. This places foil 590 in good electrical
contact with inserts 510, 520, and provides a route for electrical
communication between the inserts. As can be seen in FIG. 5B, each
consecutive wrap of foil 590' around inserts 510', 520' overlaps
with the previous wrap, providing a seal around the wire. The
thickness of the foil can be varied in a wide range, depending on
the application, for example between 0.0001-0.5 mm. Substantially
nonporous sealer 570 is coated on top of foil 590. Sealer 570 can
be a electrically conductive material, in which case sealer 570 and
foil 590 together provide an electrical pathway from the outside of
the wire to HTS inserts 510, 520. In another embodiment, sealer 570
can be a substantially nonporous non-conductive material, in which
case the exterior of wire 500 is electrically insulated. In this
case to make a conductive connection from the outside of wire 500
to HTS inserts 510, 520, sealer 570 must be stripped away. This
allows access to conductive foil 590, which is in electrical
contact with HTS inserts 510, 520. Wire 500 can be manufactured by
providing and bonding HTS inserts 510, 520 as described previously,
and then mechanically wrapping conductive foil 590 around the
resulting assembly. Then wire 500 can be run through a bath of
sealer 570, e.g. solder, which substantially surrounds and seals
wire 500.
[0073] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, wire 600 includes
two HTS inserts 610, 620, which are bonded with adhesive 680 and
may be the same as described previously, layer 690, and a two-tape
structure like that shown in FIG. 2A. Layer 690 substantially
surrounds and provides electrical contact between 610, 620, 680.
Layer 690 is, for example, a metallic coating that is deposited
onto assembly 610, 620, 680. Cu, Ag, Ti, TiN, and Sn are examples
of metals that can be deposited onto the assembly. Alternately,
layer 690 is e.g, a coating of a conductive polymer, a polymer
containing metallic powder, or conductive glue, to result in a
conductive medium. Whatever the chosen coating, conductive
stabilizer strips 650, 660 are laminated to the assembly with
filler 670 as described for the wire shown in FIG. 2. Filler 670
may be the same as described for FIG. 2. Stabilizer strips 650,
660, along with filler 670, provide structural, thermal, and
electrical integrity to wire 600 beyond that provided by layer 690.
Because wire 600 contains many features that enhance its strength
and durability, it is useful for applications with harsh
environmental conditions or excessive mechanical stress. The coated
assembly 610, 620, 680, 690 can also be inserted in any of the
above-described embodiments, for applications requiring additional
stability.
[0074] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, a wire includes two HTS inserts 710, 720,
which are bonded with adhesive 780 and may be the same as described
previously, and an electrically conductive layer 790. Layer 790 may
substantially surround and seal the HTS assembly 710, 720, 780.
Layer 790 provides electrical communication between HTS inserts
710, 720. Layer 790 can be a deposited metal coating. The metal can
be deposited by an electroplating process, by a metal powder
sintering process, or by an electroless plating process.
Electroplating, powder sintering, and electroless plating methods
are well known. Cu, Ag, Ti, TiN, and Sn are examples of metals that
can be deposited onto assembly 710, 720, 780. In other embodiments,
layer 790 is a conductive polymer, or a polymer containing metallic
powder. Polymer coatings can be applied through a reel-to-reel dip
coating and curing process, with dies or wipes in-line to control
the polymer layer thickness. Still other kinds of conductive
materials can be used for layer 790. These materials have the
property of providing good electrical contact between HTS inserts
710, 720 and/or between HTS inserts 710, 720 and an external
conductive contact. These materials also can be substantially
nonporous, and can be deposited with a thickness sufficient to
substantially surround and seal the resulting wire 700.
[0075] While the embodiments described above are wires that include
HTS inserts that are bonded together by their substrates, and
inserted inside of different kinds of outer structures, other HTS
assemblies can be contemplated for use in any of the described
wires. For example, in one or more embodiments the coated wire 700
of FIG. 7 can itself be inserted into one or more of the described
outer conductive structures.
[0076] The novel wetting layers described herein that are used in
conjunction with multiple HTS inserts can also be used to prepare
single HTS inserts having an electrically conductive outer
structure. In one or more embodiments, a single HTS assembly can be
inserted into one or more of the above described outer structures.
Referring to FIG. 8, wire 800 includes an HTS insert 810 that may
be the same as described previously. Wire 800 also includes an
outer structure 890, where outer structure 890 represents the outer
conductive structure of any of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.
2-7. HTS insert 810 includes substrate 860, buffer layer 850, HTS
layer 840, and cap layer 830, which may have the same components
and characteristics as insert 110 in the configuration shown in
FIG. 1. Insert 810 also has a wetting layer 870 that is deposited
on substrate 860. In this case wetting layer 870 is selected such
that it allows for good adhesion between substrate 860 and outer
structure 890. Outer structure 890 is in electrical contact with
HTS layer 840. Thus by simply contacting a current source to outer
structure 890, current will flow into the HTS layer. Outer
structure 890 substantially surrounds and seals HTS insert 810.
[0077] While the described wires contain HTS inserts and assemblies
having a substrate, one or more buffer layer (s), rare earth oxide
superconductor, and cap layer, the wires are not constrained to
using these specific kinds of superconductor inserts or assemblies.
Any kind of HTS assembly can be used, provided that it contains an
HTS layer. For example, a mesh-type stabilizer having low
conductivity in the weft (perpendicular to the wire axis) and high
conductivity in the warp (along the wire axis) can be used in place
of conductive stabilizer strips. This type of stabilizer has the
advantage of reducing eddy current losses in alternating current
applications. Further details of appropriate mesh-type stabilizers
may be found in commonly-owned U.S. patent application, U.S. Ser.
No. 60/667,001, entitled "Mesh-Type Stabilizer for Filamentary
Coated Superconductors," which is hereby incorporated in its
entirety by reference.
[0078] FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary process
used to manufacture an HTS wire according to various embodiments of
the present invention. At a first station 910, a wire substrate is
treated to obtain biaxial texture. Preferably, the substrate
surface has a relatively well defined crystallographic orientation.
For example, the surface can be a biaxially textured surface (e.g.,
a (113)[211] surface) or a cube textured surface (e.g., a
(100)[011] surface or a (100)[001] surface). Preferably, the peaks
in an X-ray diffraction pole figure of the surface have a FWHM of
less than about 20.degree. (e.g., less than about 15.degree., less
than about 10.degree., or from about 5.degree. to about
10.degree.).
[0079] The surface can be prepared, for example, by rolling and
annealing. Surfaces can also be prepared using vacuum processes,
such as ion beam assisted deposition, inclined substrate deposition
and other vacuum techniques known in the art to form a biaxially
textured surface on, for example, a randomly oriented
polycrystalline or amorphous surface. In certain embodiments (e.g.,
when ion beam assisted deposition is used), the surface of the
substrate need not be textured (e.g., the surface can be randomly
oriented polycrystalline, or the surface can be amorphous).
[0080] The substrate can be formed of any material capable of
supporting a buffer layer stack and/or a layer of superconductor
material, and capable of providing the mechanical properties
required for the final wire. Examples of substrate materials that
can be used as the substrate include for example, metals and/or
alloys, such as nickel, silver, copper, zinc, aluminum, iron,
chromium, vanadium, palladium, molybdenum and/or their alloys. In
some embodiments, the substrate can be formed of a superalloy. In
certain embodiments, the substrate can be in the form of an object
having a relatively large surface area (e.g., a wire or a wafer).
In these embodiments, the substrate is preferably formed of a
relatively flexible material.
[0081] In some of these embodiments, the substrate is a binary
alloy that contains two of the following metals: copper, nickel,
chromium, vanadium, aluminum, silver, iron, palladium, molybdenum,
tungsten, gold and zinc. For example, a binary alloy can be formed
of nickel and chromium (e.g., nickel and at most 20 atomic percent
chromium, nickel and from about five to about 18 atomic percent
chromium, or nickel and from about 10 to about 15 atomic percent
chromium). As another example, a binary alloy can be formed of
nickel and copper (e.g., copper and from about five to about 45
atomic percent nickel, copper and from about 10 to about 40 atomic
percent nickel, or copper and from about 25 to about 35 atomic
percent nickel). As a further example, a binary alloy can contain
nickel and tungsten (e.g., from about one atomic percent tungsten
to about 20 atomic percent tungsten, from about two atomic percent
tungsten to about 10 atomic percent tungsten, from about three
atomic percent tungsten to about seven atomic percent tungsten,
about five atomic percent tungsten). A binary alloy can further
include relatively small amounts of impurities (e.g., less than
about 0.1 atomic percent of impurities, less than about 0.01 atomic
percent of impurities, or less than about 0.005 atomic percent of
impurities). Ni--5 wt. % W is a preferred material for the
substrate.
[0082] In certain of these embodiments, the substrate contains more
than two metals (e.g., a ternary alloy or a quarternary alloy). In
some of these embodiments, the alloy can contain one or more oxide
formers (e.g., Mg, Al, Mo, V, Ta, Ti, Cr, Ga, Ge, Zr, Hf, Y, Si,
Pr, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Lu, Th, Er, Tm, Be, Ce, Nd, Sm, Yb and/or
La, with Al being the preferred oxide former), as well as two of
the following metals: copper, nickel, chromium, tungsten, vanadium,
aluminum, silver, iron, palladium, molybdenum, gold and zinc. In
certain of these embodiments, the alloy can contain two of the
following metals: copper, nickel, chromium, tungsten, vanadium,
aluminum, silver, iron, palladium, molybdenum, gold and zinc, and
can be substantially devoid of any of the aforementioned oxide
formers.
[0083] In embodiments in which the alloys contain an oxide former,
the alloys can contain at least about 0.5 atomic percent oxide
former (e.g., at least about one atomic percent oxide former, or at
least about two atomic percent oxide former) and at most about 25
atomic percent oxide former (e.g., at most about 10 atomic percent
oxide former, or at most about four atomic percent oxide former).
For example, the alloy can include an oxide former (e.g., at least
about 0.5 aluminum), from about 25 atomic percent to about 55
atomic percent nickel (e.g., from about 35 atomic percent to about
55 atomic percent nickel, or from about 40 atomic percent to about
55 atomic percent nickel) with the balance being copper. As another
example, the alloy can include an oxide former (e.g., at least
about 0.5 atomic aluminum), from about five atomic percent to about
20 atomic percent chromium (e.g., from about 10 atomic percent to
about 18 atomic percent chromium, or from about 10 atomic percent
to about 15 atomic percent chromium) with the balance being nickel.
The alloys can include relatively small amounts of additional
metals (e.g., less than about 0.1 atomic percent of additional
metals, less than about 0.01 atomic percent of additional metals,
or less than about 0.005 atomic percent of additional metals).
[0084] A substrate formed of an alloy can be produced by, for
example, combining the constituents in powder form, melting and
cooling or, for example, by diffusing the powder constituents
together in solid state. The alloy can then be formed by
deformation texturing (e.g, annealing and rolling, swaging,
extrusion and/or drawing) to form a textured surface (e.g.,
biaxially textured or cube textured). Alternatively, the alloy
constituents can be stacked in a jelly roll configuration, and then
deformation textured. In some embodiments, a material with a
relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion (e.g, Nb, Mo, Ta,
V, Cr, Zr, Pd, Sb, NbTi, an intermetallic such as NiAl or
Ni.sub.3Al, or mixtures thereof) can be formed into a rod and
embedded into the alloy prior to deformation texturing.
[0085] In some embodiments, stable oxide formation at the surface
can be mitigated until a first epitaxial (for example, buffer)
layer is formed on the biaxially textured alloy surface, using an
intermediate layer disposed on the surface of the substrate.
Intermediate layers include those epitaxial metal or alloy layers
that do not form surface oxides when exposed to conditions as
established by PO.sub.2 and temperature required for the initial
growth of epitaxial buffer layer films. In addition, the buffer
layer acts as a barrier to prevent substrate element(s) from
migrating to the surface of the intermediate layer and forming
oxides during the initial growth of the epitaxial layer. Absent
such an intermediate layer, one or more elements in the substrate
would be expected to form thermodynamically stable oxide(s) at the
substrate surface which could significantly impede the deposition
of epitaxial layers due to, for example, lack of texture in this
oxide layer.
[0086] Exemplary intermediate metal layers include nickel, gold,
silver, palladium, and alloys thereof. Additional metals or alloys
may include alloys of nickel and/or copper. Epitaxial films or
layers deposited on an intermediate layer can include metal oxides,
chalcogenides, halides, and nitrides. In some embodiments, the
intermediate metal layer does not oxidize under epitaxial film
deposition conditions.
[0087] Care should be taken that the deposited intermediate layer
is not completely incorporated into or does not completely diffuse
into the substrate before nucleation and growth of the initial
buffer layer structure causes the epitaxial layer to be
established. This means that after selecting the metal (or alloy)
for proper attributes such as diffusion constant in the substrate
alloy, thermodynamic stability against oxidation under practical
epitaxial buffer layer growth conditions and lattice matching with
the epitaxial layer, the thickness of the deposited metal layer has
to be adapted to the epitaxial layer deposition conditions, in
particular to temperature.
[0088] Deposition of the intermediate metal layer can be done in a
vacuum process such as evaporation or sputtering, or by
electrochemical means such as electroplating (with or without
electrodes). These deposited intermediate metal layers may or may
not be epitaxial after deposition (depending on substrate
temperature during deposition), but epitaxial orientation can
subsequently be obtained during a post-deposition heat
treatment.
[0089] In certain embodiments, sulfur can be formed on the surface
of the substrate or intermediate layer. The sulfur can be formed,
for example, by exposing the intermediate layer to a gas
environment containing a source of sulfur (e.g., H.sub.2S, a
tantalum foil or a silver foil) and hydrogen (e.g., hydrogen, or a
mix of hydrogen and an inert gas, such as a 5% hydrogen/argon gas
mixture) for a period of time (e.g., from about 10 seconds to about
one hour, from about one minute to about 30 minutes, from about
five minutes to about 15 minutes). This can be performed at
elevated temperature (e.g., at a temperature of from about
450.degree. C. to about 1100.degree. C., from about 600.degree. C.
to about 900.degree. C., 850.degree. C.). The pressure of the
hydrogen (or hydrogen/inert gas mixture) can be relatively low
(e.g., less than about one torr, less than about 1.times.10.sup.-3
torr, less than about 1.times.10.sup.-6 torr) or relatively high
(e.g., greater than about 1 torr, greater than about 100 torr,
greater than about 760 torr).
[0090] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that
exposing the textured substrate surface to a source of sulfur under
these conditions can result in the formation of a superstructure
(e.g., a c(2.times.2) superstructure) of sulfur on the textured
substrate surface. It is further believed that the superstructure
can be effective in stabilizing (e.g., chemically and/or physically
stabilizing) the surface of the intermediate layer.
[0091] While one approach to forming a sulfur superstructure has
been described, other methods of forming such superstructures can
also be used. For example, a sulfur superstructure (e.g., S
c(2.times.2)) can be formed by applying an appropriate organic
solution to the surface of the intermediate layer by heating to an
appropriate temperature in an appropriate gas environment.
Moreover, while formation of a sulfur superstructure on the surface
of the intermediate layer has been described, it is believed that
other superstructures may also be effective in stabilizing (e.g.,
chemically and/or physically stabilizing) the surface. For example,
it is believed that an oxygen superstructure, a nitrogen
superstructure, a carbon superstructure, a potassium
superstructure, a cesium superstructure, a lithium superstructure
or a selenium superstructure disposed on the surface may be
effective in enhancing the stability of the surface.
[0092] In a second processing station 920, a buffer layer is formed
on the textured substrate by epitaxial growth on a textured metal
surface. Alternatively, a buffer layer can be formed on a
polycrystalline, randomly textured metal surface using ion beam
assisted deposition (IBAD). In this technique, a buffer layer
material is evaporated using, for example, electron beam
evaporation, sputtering deposition, or pulsed laser deposition
while an ion beam (e.g., an argon ion beam) is directed at a smooth
amorphous surface of a substrate onto which the evaporated buffer
layer material is deposited.
[0093] For example, the buffer layer can be formed by ion beam
assisted deposition by evaporating a buffer layer material having a
rock-salt like structure (e.g., a material having a rock salt
structure, such as an oxide, including MgO, or a nitride) onto a
smooth, amorphous surface (e.g., a surface having a root mean
square roughness of less than about 100 Angstroms) of a substrate
so that the buffer layer material has a surface with substantial
alignment (e.g., about 13.degree. or less), both in-plane and
out-of-plane.
[0094] The conditions used during deposition of the buffer layer
material can include, for example, a substrate temperature of from
about 0.degree. C. to about 750.degree. C. (e.g., from about
0.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C., from about room temperature
to about 750.degree. C., from about room temperature to about
400.degree. C.), a deposition rate of from about 1.0 Angstrom per
second to about 4.4 Angstroms per second, an ion energy of from
about 200 eV to about 1200 eV, and/or an ion flux of from about 110
microamperes per square centimeter to about 120 microamperes per
square centimeter.
[0095] In some embodiments, when using IBAD, the substrate is
formed of a material having a polycrystalline, non-amorphous base
structure (e.g., a metal alloy, such as a nickel alloy) with a
smooth amorphous surface formed of a different material (e.g.,
Si.sub.3N.sub.4).
[0096] In certain embodiments, a plurality of buffer layers can be
deposited by epitaxial growth on an original IBAD surface. Each
buffer layer can have substantial alignment (e.g., about 13.degree.
or less), both in-plane and out-of-plane.
[0097] A buffer material can be prepared using solution phase
techniques, including metalorganic deposition, such as disclosed
in, for example, S. S. Shoup et al., J. Am. Cer. Soc., vol. 81,
3019; D. Beach et al., Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., vol. 495, 263
(1988); M. Paranthaman et al., Superconductor Sci. Tech., vol. 12,
319 (1999); D. J. Lee et al., Japanese J. Appl. Phys., vol. 38,
L178 (1999) and M. W. Rupich et al., I.E.E.E. Trans. on Appl.
Supercon. vol. 9, 1527. In certain embodiments, solution coating
processes can be used for epitaxial deposition of one or a
combination of any of the oxide layers on textured substrates;
however, they can be particularly applicable for deposition of the
initial (seed) layer on a textured metal substrate. The role of the
seed layer is to provide 1) protection of the substrate from
oxidation during deposition of the next oxide layer when carried
out in an oxidizing atmosphere relative to the substrate (for
example, magnetron sputter deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia
from an oxide target); and 2) an epitaxial template for growth of
subsequent oxide layers. In order to meet these requirements, the
seed layer should grow epitaxially over the entire surface of the
metal substrate and be free of any contaminants that may interfere
with the deposition of subsequent epitaxial oxide layers.
[0098] The formation of oxide buffer layers can be carried out so
as to promote wetting of an underlying substrate layer.
Additionally, in particular embodiments, the formation of metal
oxide layers can be carried out using metal alkoxide precursors
(for example, "sol gel" precursors).
[0099] Once the textured substrate including buffer layers is
prepared, a precursor solution is deposited at deposition station
930 as described above. Optionally, the precursor can be patterned.
Additional equipment may be required to accomplish the patterning
operation, for example, when laser ablation or ion bombardment are
used to pattern the superconducting layer. If dropwise patterned
deposition is used, then a single station equipped with a inkjet
printer deposition apparatus can accomplish both deposition and
patterning of the oxide precursor solution.
[0100] Typically, solution chemistry is used to prepare barium
fluoride and/or other superconductor precursors; and a solution
(e.g., a solution containing metal salts, such as yttrium acetate,
copper acetate, barium acetate and/or a fluorinated acetate salt of
barium) is disposed on a surface (e.g., on a surface of a
substrate, such as a substrate having an alloy layer with one or
more buffer layers disposed thereon). The solution can be disposed
on the surface using standard techniques (e.g., spin coating, dip
coating, slot coating). The solution is dried to remove at least
some of the organic compounds present in the solution (e.g., dried
at about room temperature or under mild heat), and the resulting
material is reacted (e.g., decomposed) in a furnace in a gas
environment containing oxygen and water to form barium fluoride
and/or other appropriate materials (e.g., CuO and/or
Y.sub.2O.sub.3). In some embodiments, the reactors noted above can
be used in any or all of these steps.
[0101] Metal salt solutions are prepared using metal sources in the
appropriate proportions desired in the resulting superconductor
layer. Thus, for example, an additional amount of copper salt, in
excess of the stoichiometric proportions used in YBCO, is included
in a precursor solution used to prepare a high Ic(ab)
superconductor layer having excess copper. Similarly, the precursor
solution may contain additive components, including soluble and
insoluble metal compounds, that are used to modify the final
superconductor composition. Such additives can include, for
example, soluble compounds of metal compounds such as yttrium,
neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium,
holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium, alkaline earth
metals, such as calcium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel,
zirconium, cerium, silver, aluminum, and magnesium, that are
capable of dissolving in the solvents contained in the precursor
solution. Additive components may also include stoichiometric
excesses of soluble compounds included in the precursor solution.
For example, soluble yttrium salts or soluble copper salts may be
included in the precursor solution in excess of that required to
form YBCO. Insoluble additive components can also be added to the
precursor solution.
[0102] Examples of metal salt solutions that can be used are as
follows.
[0103] In some embodiments, the metal salt solution can have a
relatively small amount of free acid. In aqueous solutions, this
can correspond to a metal salt solution with a relatively neutral
pH (e.g., neither strongly acidic nor strongly basic). The metal
salt solution can be used to prepare multi-layer superconductors
using a wide variety of materials that can be used as the
underlying layer on which the superconductor layer is formed.
[0104] The total free acid concentration of the metal salt solution
can be less than about 1.times.10.sup.-3 molar (e.g., less than
about 1.times.10.sup.-5 molar or about 1.times.10.sup.-7 molar).
Examples of free acids that can be contained in a metal salt
solution include trifluoroacetic acid, acetic acid, nitric acid,
sulfuric acid, acids of iodides, acids of bromides and acids of
sulfates.
[0105] When the metal salt solution contains water, the precursor
composition can have a pH of at least about 3 (e.g., at least about
5 or about 7).
[0106] In some embodiments, the metal salt solution can have a
relatively low water content (e.g., less than about 50 volume
percent water, less than about 35 volume percent water, less than
about 25 volume percent water).
[0107] In embodiments in which the metal salt solution contains
trifluoroacetate ion and an alkaline earth metal cation (e.g.,
barium), the total amount of trifluoroacetate ion can be selected
so that the mole ratio of fluorine contained in the metal salt
solution (e.g., in the form of trifluoroacetate) to the alkaline
earth metal (e.g., barium ions) contained in the metal salt
solution is at least about 2:1 (e.g., from about 2:1 to about
18.5:1, or from about 2:1 to about 10:1).
[0108] In general, the metal salt solution can be prepared by
combining soluble compounds of a first metal (e.g., copper), a
second metal (e.g., an alkaline earth metal), and a rare earth
metal with one or more desired solvents and optionally water. As
used herein, "soluble compounds" of the first, second and rare
earth metals refer to compounds of these metals that are capable of
dissolving in the solvent(s) contained in the metal salt solution.
Such compounds include, for example, salts (e.g., nitrates,
acetates, alkoxides, iodides, sulfates and trifluoroacetates),
oxides and hydroxides of these metals.
[0109] In certain embodiments, a metal salt solution can be formed
of an organic solution containing metal trifluoroacetates prepared
from powders of Ba(O.sub.2CCH.sub.3).sub.2,
Y(O.sub.2CCH.sub.3).sub.3, and Cu(O.sub.2CCH.sub.3).sub.2 which are
combined and reacted using methods known to those skilled in the
art. For example, the metal trifluoroacetate powders can be
combined in a 2:1:3 ratio in methyl alcohol to produce a solution
substantially 0.94 M based on copper content.
[0110] In certain embodiments, the metal salt solution can contain
a Lewis base. The rare earth metal can be yttrium, lanthanum,
europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium,
thulium, ytterbium, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium,
samarium or lutetium. In general, the rare earth metal salt can be
any rare earth metal salt that is soluble in the solvent(s)
contained in the metal salt solution and that, when being processed
to form an intermediate (e.g., a metal oxyhalide intermediate),
forms rare earth oxide(s) (e.g., Y.sub.2O.sub.3). Such salts can
have, for example, the formula
M(O.sub.2C--(CH.sub.2).sub.n--CXX'X'')(O.sub.2C--(CH.sub.2).sub.m--CX'''X-
''''X''''')(O.sub.2C--(CH.sub.2).sub.p--CX''''''X'''''''X'''''''')
or M(OR).sub.3. M is the rare earth metal. n, m and p are each at
least one but less than a number that renders the salt insoluble in
the solvent(s) (e.g., from one to ten). Each of X, X', X'', X''',
X'''', X''''', X'''''', X''''''' and X'''''''' is H, F, Cl, Br or
I. R is a carbon containing group, which can be halogenated (e.g.,
CH.sub.2CF.sub.3) or nonhalogenated. Examples of such salts include
nonhalogenated carboxylates, halogenated acetates (e.g.,
trifluoroacetate, trichloroacetate, tribromoacetate,
triiodoacetate), halogenated alkoxides, and nonhalogenated
alkoxides. Examples of such nonhalogenated carboxylates include
nonhalogenated actetates (e.g., M(O.sub.2C--CH.sub.3).sub.3). The
alkaline earth metal can be barium, strontium or calcium.
Generally, the alkaline earth metal salt can be any alkaline earth
metal salt that is soluble in the solvent(s) contained in the metal
salt solution and that, when being processed to form an
intermediate (e.g., a metal oxyhalide intermediate), forms an
alkaline earth halide compound (e.g., BaF.sub.2, BaCl.sub.2,
BaBr.sub.2, BaI.sub.2) prior to forming alkaline earth oxide(s)
(e.g., BaO). Such salts can have, for example, the formula
M'(O.sub.2C--(CH.sub.2).sub.n--CXX'X'')(O.sub.2C--(CH.sub.2).sub.m--CX'''-
X''''X''''') or M'(OR).sub.2. M' is the alkaline earth metal. n and
m are each at least one but less than a number that renders the
salt insoluble in the solvent(s) (e.g., from one to ten). Each of
X, X', X'', X''', X'''' and X''''' is H, F, Cl, B or, I. R can be a
halogenated or nonhalogenated carbon containing group. Examples of
such salts include halogenated acetates (e.g., trifluoroacetate,
trichloroacetate, tribromoacetate, triiodoacetate). Generally, the
transition metal is copper. The transition metal salt should be
soluble in the solvent(s) contained in the metal salt solution.
Preferably, during conversion of the precursor to the intermediate
(e.g., metal oxyhalide), minimal cross-linking occurs between
discrete transition metal molecules (e.g., copper molecules). Such
transition metals salts can have, for example, the formula
M''(CXX'X''--CO(CH).sub.aCO--CX'''X''''X''''')(CX''''''X'''''''X''''''''--
-CO(CH).sub.bCO CX'''''''''X''''''''''X'''''''''''),
M''(O.sub.2C--(CH.sub.2).sub.n--CXX'X'')(O.sub.2C--(CH.sub.2).sub.m--CX''-
'X''''X''''') or M''(OR).sub.2. M'' is the transition metal. a and
b are each at least one but less than a number that renders the
salt insoluble in the solvent(s) (e.g., from one to five).
Generally, n and m are each at least one but less than a number
that renders the salt insoluble in the solvent(s) (e.g., from one
to Br or I. R is a carbon containing group, which can be
halogenated (e.g., CH.sub.2CF.sub.3) or nonhalogenated. These salts
include, for example, nonhalogenated actetates (e.g.,
M''(O.sub.2C--CH.sub.3).sub.2), halogenated acetates, halogenated
alkoxides, and nonhalogenated alkoxides. Examples of such salts
include copper trichloroacetate, copper tribromoacetate, copper
triiodoacetate, Cu(CH.sub.3COCHCOCF.sub.3).sub.2,
Cu(OOCC.sub.7H.sub.15).sub.2, Cu(CF.sub.3COCHCOF.sub.3).sub.2,
Cu(CH.sub.3COCHCOCH.sub.3).sub.2,
Cu(CH.sub.3CH.sub.2CO.sub.2CHCOCH.sub.3).sub.2,
CuO(C.sub.5H.sub.6N).sub.2 and
Cu.sub.3O.sub.3Ba.sub.2(O--CH.sub.2CF.sub.3).sub.4. In certain
embodiments, the transition metal salt is a carboxylate salt (e.g.,
a nonhalogenated carboxylate salt), such as a propionate salt of
the transition metal (e.g., a nonhalogenated propionate salt of the
transition metal). An example of a nonhalogenated propionate salt
of a transition metal is Cu(O.sub.2CC.sub.2H.sub.5).sub.2. In some
embodiments, the transition metal salt is a simple salt, such as
copper sulfate, copper nitrate, copper iodide and/or copper
oxylate. In some embodiments, n and/or m can have the value zero.
In certain embodiments, a and/or b can have the value zero. An
illustrative and nonlimiting list of Lewis bases includes
nitrogen-containing compounds, such as ammonia and amines. Examples
of amines include CH.sub.3CN, C.sub.5H.sub.5N and
R.sub.1R.sub.2R.sub.3N. Each of R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 is
independently H, an alkyl group (e.g., a straight chained alkyl
group, a branched alkyl group, an aliphatic alkyl group, a
non-aliphatic alkyl group and/or a substituted alkyl group) or the
like. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that
the presence of a Lewis base in the metal salt solution can reduce
cross-linking of copper during intermediate formation. It is
believed that this is achieved because a Lewis base can coordinate
(e.g., selective coordinate) with copper ions, thereby reducing the
ability of copper to cross-link.
[0111] Typically, the metal salt solution is applied to a surface
(e.g., a buffer layer surface), such as by spin coating, dip
coating, web coating, slot coating, gravure coating, or other
techniques known to those skilled in the art, and subsequently
heated.
[0112] At a subsequent station 940, the precursor components are
decomposed. In the case of precursor components including at least
one fluoride-containing salt, the first step of the heating step is
performed to decompose the metalorganic molecules to one or more
oxyfluoride intermediates of the desired superconductor
material.
[0113] Typically, the initial temperature in this step is about
room temperature, and the final temperature is from about
190.degree. C. to about 210.degree. C., preferably to a temperature
to about 200.degree. C. Preferably, this step is performed using a
temperature ramp of at least about 5.degree. C. per minute, more
preferably a temperature ramp of at least about 10.degree. C. per
minute, and most preferably a temperature ramp of at least about
15.degree. C. per minute. During this step, the partial pressure of
water vapor in the nominal gas environment is preferably maintained
at from about 5 Torr to about 50 Torr, more preferably at from
about 5 Torr to about 30 Torr, and most preferably at from about 20
Torr to about 30 Torr. The partial pressure of oxygen in the
nominal gas environment is maintained at from about 0.1 Torr to
about 760 Torr and preferably at about 730-740 Torr.
[0114] Heating is then continued to a temperature of from about
200.degree. C. to about 290.degree. C. using a temperature ramp of
from about 0.05.degree. C. per minute to about 5.degree. C. per
minute (e.g., from about 0.5.degree. C. per minute to about
1.degree. C. per minute). Preferably, the gas environment during
this heating step is substantially the same as the nominal gas
environment used when the sample is heated to from the initial
temperature to from about 190.degree. C. to about 215.degree.
C.
[0115] Heating is further continued to a temperature of about
650.degree. C., or more preferably to a temperature of about
400.degree. C., to form the oxyfluoride intermediate. This step is
preferably performed using a temperature ramp of at least about
2.degree. C. per minute, more preferably at least about 3.degree.
C. per minute, and most preferably at least about 5.degree. C. per
minute. Preferably, the gas environment during this heating step is
substantially the same as the nominal gas environment used when the
sample is heated to from the initial temperature to from about
190.degree. C. to about 215.degree. C.
[0116] In alternate embodiments, barium fluoride is formed by
heating the dried solution from an initial temperature (e.g., room
temperature) to a temperature of from about 190.degree. C. to about
215.degree. C. (e.g., about 210.degree. C.) in a water vapor
pressure of from about 5 Torr to about 50 Torr water vapor (e.g.,
from about 5 Torr to about 30 Torr water vapor, or from about 10
Torr to about 25 Torr water vapor). The nominal partial pressure of
oxygen can be, for example, from about 0.1 Torr to about 760 Torr.
In these embodiments, heating is then continued to a temperature of
from about 220.degree. C. to about 290.degree. C. (e.g., about
220.degree. C.) in a water vapor pressure of from about 5 Torr to
about 50 Torr water vapor (e.g., from about 5 Torr to about 30 Torr
water vapor, or from about 10 Torr to about 25 Torr water vapor).
The nominal partial pressure of oxygen can be, for example, from
about 0.1 Torr to about 760 Torr. This is followed by heating to
about 400.degree. C. at a rate of at least about 2.degree. C. per
minute (e.g., at least about 3.degree. C. per minute, or at least
about 5.degree. C. per minute) in a water vapor pressure of from
about 5 Torr to about 50 Torr water vapor (e.g., from about 5 Torr
to about 30 Torr water vapor, or from about 10 Torr to about 25
Torr water vapor) to form barium fluoride. The nominal partial
pressure of oxygen can be, for example, from about 0.1 Torr to
about 760 Torr.
[0117] In certain embodiments, heating the dried solution to form
barium fluoride can include putting the coated sample in a
pre-heated furnace (e.g., at a temperature of at least about
100.degree. C., at least about 150.degree. C., at least about
200.degree. C., at most about 300.degree. C., at most about
250.degree. C., about 200.degree. C.). The gas environment in the
furnace can have, for example, a total gas pressure of about 760
Torr, a predetermined partial pressure of water vapor (e.g. at
least about 10 Torr, at least about 15 Torr, at most about 25 Torr,
at most about 20 Torr, about 17 Torr) with the balance being
molecular oxygen. After the coated sample reaches the furnace
temperature, the furnace temperature can be increased (e.g., to at
least about 225.degree. C., to at least about 240.degree. C., to at
most about 275.degree. C., to at most about 260.degree. C., about
250.degree. C.) at a predetermined temperature ramp rate (e.g., at
least about 0.5.degree. C. per minute, at least about 0.75.degree.
C. per minute, at most about 2.degree. C. per minute, at most about
1.5.degree. C. per minute, about 1.degree. C. per minute). This
step can be performed with the same nominal gas environment used in
the first heating step. The temperature of the furnace can then be
further increased (e.g., to at least about 350.degree. C., to at
least about 375.degree. C., to at most about 450.degree. C., to at
most about 425.degree. C., about 450.degree. C.) at a predetermined
temperature ramp rate (e.g., at least about 5.degree. C. per
minute, at least about 8.degree. C. per minute, at most about
20.degree. C. per minute, at most about 12.degree. C. per minute,
about 10.degree. C. per minute). This step can be performed with
the same nominal gas environment used in the first heating
step.
[0118] The foregoing treatments of a metal salt solution can result
in an oxyfluoride intermediate film in which the constituent metal
oxides and metal fluorides are homogeneously distributed throughout
the film. Preferably, the precursor has a relatively low defect
density and is essentially free of cracks through the intermediate
thickness. While solution chemistry for barium fluoride formation
has been disclosed, other methods can also be used for other
precursor solutions.
[0119] The superconductor intermediate film can then be heated to
form the desired HTS layer at a further processing station 1050.
Typically, this step is performed by heating from about room
temperature to a temperature of from about 700.degree. C. to about
825.degree. C., preferably to a temperature of about 740.degree. C.
to 800.degree. C. and more preferably to a temperature of about
750.degree. C. to about 790.degree. C., at a temperature ramp of
about greater than 25.degree. C. per minute, preferably at a
temperature rate of about greater than 100.degree. C. per minute
and more preferably at a temperature rate about greater than
200.degree. C. per minute. This step can also start from the final
temperature of about 400-650.degree. C. used to form the
intermediate oxyfluoride film. During this step, a process gas is
flowed over the film surface to supply the gaseous reactants to the
film and to remove the gaseous reaction products from the film. The
nominal gas environment during this step has a total pressure of
about 0.1 Torr to about 760 Torr and is comprised of about 0.09
Torr to about 50 Torr oxygen and about 0.01 Torr to about 150 Torr
water vapor and about 0 Torr to about 750 Torr of an inert gas
(nitrogen or argon). More preferably, the nominal gas environment
has a total pressure of about 0.15 Torr to about 5 Torr and is
comprised of about 0.1 Torr to about 1 Torr oxygen and about 0.05
Torr to about 4 Torr water vapor.
[0120] The film is then held at a temperature of about 700.degree.
C.-825.degree. C., preferably to a temperature of about 740.degree.
C. to 800.degree. C. and more preferably to a temperature of about
750.degree. C. to about 790.degree. C., for a time of about at
least 5 minutes to about 120 minutes, preferably for a time of at
least about 15 minutes to about 60 minutes, and more preferably for
a time of at least about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes. During
this step, a process gas is flowed over the film surface to supply
the gaseous reactants to the film and to remove the gaseous
reaction products from the film. The nominal gas environment during
this step has a total pressure of about 0.1 Torr to about 760 Torr
and is comprised of about 0.09 Torr to about 50 Torr oxygen and
about 0.01 Torr to about 150 Torr water vapor and about 0 Torr to
about 750 Torr of an inert gas (nitrogen or argon). More
preferably, the nominal gas environment has a total pressure of
about 0.15 Torr to about 5 Torr and is comprised of about 0.1 Torr
to about 1 Torr oxygen and about 0.05 Torr to about 4 Torr water
vapor.
[0121] The film is then cooled to room temperature in a nominal gas
environment with an oxygen pressure of about 0.05 Torr to about 150
Torr, preferably about 0.1 Torr to about 0.5 Torr and more
preferably from about 0.1 Torr to about 0.2 Torr.
[0122] Optionally, filamentization can be performed at station 1060
by known processes, or by processes described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/955,801, filed on Sep. 29, 2004. Further
processing by noble metal deposition at station 1070, oxygen
annealing at station 1080, and slitting at station 1090 complete
the process.
EXAMPLE 1
Preparation of a Multilayer Conductor from Double Coated
Superconducting Layers with Different Compositions
[0123] A baseline YBCO precursor solution having a stoichiometry of
Y:Ba:Cu of 1:2:3.23 was prepared by dissolving about 0.85 grams
Y(CF.sub.3CO.sub.2).sub.3, about 1.45 grams of
Ba(CF.sub.3CO.sub.2).sub.2 and about 1.35 grams of
Cu(C.sub.2H.sub.5CO.sub.2).sub.2 in about 4.85 mL of methanol
(CH.sub.3OH) and about 0.15 mL of propionic acid
(C.sub.2H.sub.6CO.sub.2). The final volume of the solution was
adjusted to about 5 mL with methanol.
[0124] A baseline YBCO precursor solution with 50% dysprosium
addition having a stoichiometry of Y:Dy:Ba:Cu of 1:0.5:2:3.23 was
prepared by dissolving about 1.70 grams Dy(CH.sub.3CO.sub.2).sub.3,
and about 1.90 mL of methanol (CH.sub.3OH) in about 20 mL of
baseline solution. The final volume of the solution was adjusted to
about 25 mL with baseline solution.
[0125] 1.2M Cu(C.sub.2H.sub.5CO.sub.2).sub.2 solution was made by
dissolving 1.24 g of Cu(C.sub.2H.sub.5CO.sub.2).sub.2 powder in
4.85 ml of methanol and 0.15 ml of C.sub.2H.sub.5CO.sub.2H.
[0126] The 50% Dy added precursor solution was deposited on a
biaxially textured oxide buffered metallic substrate with the
structure Ni(5 at %)W/Y.sub.2O.sub.3/YSZ/CeO.sub.2 by slot die
coating technique. The solution was coated on the buffered
substrate with the amount targeted to form a 0.8 .mu.m thick
REBa.sub.2Cu.sub.3O.sub.7-x film.
[0127] The coated sample was decomposed to an intermediate metal
oxyfluoride film by heating, in a 2.25'' diameter tube furnace,
from room temperature to about 200.degree. C. at a rate of about
15.degree. C. per minute, then from about 200.degree. C. to about
250 C at a rate of about 0.9.degree. C. per minute and then from
about 250.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. at a rate of about
5.degree. C. per minute in a flowing gas environment having a total
gas pressure of about 760 Torr (water vapor pressure of about 24
Torr and balance oxygen).
[0128] The metal oxyfluoride film was then coated with
Cu(C.sub.2H.sub.5CO.sub.2).sub.2 solution with targeted thickness
of 0.1 .mu.m. The coated film was dried at 95.degree. C. through a
heated tunnel. The dried film was then coated again with baseline
solution prepared as mentioned earlier with target final thickness
of 0.6 .mu.m YBa.sub.2Cu.sub.3O.sub.x.
[0129] Coated tape was decomposed again to form the intermediate
metal oxyfluoride by the same process as mentioned earlier except
this time the H.sub.2O vapor pressure was controlled to about 6.5
Torr.
[0130] The decomposed tape was heat treated to form an oxide
superconductor. The tape was joined with 4 m of similarly coated
NiW leader tape both in front and in the back to establish the
uniform and control environment during the reaction. The tape was
then reacted at 785.degree. C. with the following parameters. The
tape was ramped up to 785.degree. C. with average ramp rate of
about 520.degree. C./min. During reaction, the total pressure
during reaction was controlled to about 1 Torr. The H.sub.2O
partial pressure was about 800 mTorr and oxygen partial pressure
was about 200 mTorr. The reaction time was about 11 min. During
cooling, a total pressure of about 1 Torr was used with oxygen
partial pressure at about 200 mTorr and N.sub.2 partial pressure at
about 800 mTorr.
[0131] The reacted film was coated on both sides with 3 .mu.m of Ag
protection layer and then annealed in a 760 Torr oxygen
environment. The resulting film carried a critical current of about
350 A/cm-width or a critical current density of about 2.5
MA/cm.sup.2 at 77 K, self field.
[0132] The Ag coated 4 cm wide tape, which was nominally 4 m long,
was slit into eight 4.1 mm wide strips using a roll slitter. These
wires are referred to as "insert wires". Two adjacent insert wires
from one side of the 4 cm wide strip, channels 1 and 2, were then
solder laminated together with copper lamina.
[0133] The two insert wires were oriented so the Ag face covering
the superconducting layer was facing away from each other. This
orientation places the surfaces with the Ag face near the NiW
substrate together. Continuous reel-to-reel solder lamination was
used to form the 4-ply article. The lamination process joined 2
copper lamina to 2 insert wires using used a bath of 36Pb-62Sn-2Ag
solder with a melting point of 179.degree. C. operating at
225.degree. C. and 4 m/min. The UNS type C15500 copper lamina was
4.3 mm wide and nominally 0.050 mm thick. The insert wires were 4.1
mm wide and nominally 0.083 mm thick. Both surfaces of each of the
4 lamina are fluxed in-line and wet to the solder before being
aligned and pulled through a die in the lamination process. The
final 4-ply article was nominally 4.3 wide and 0.27 mm thick. The
critical current at 77 K, self field measured in 0.5 m segments
over 2 m was 237, 240, 239, and 235 Amperes, respectively.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0134] The following documents are hereby incorporated by
reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,074, issued on Jul. 27, 1993, and
entitled "Preparation of Highly Textured Oxide Superconducting
Films from MOD Precursor Solutions," U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,832,
issued Feb. 8, 2000, and entitled "Low Vacuum Process for Producing
Superconductor Articles with Epitaxial Layers," U.S. Pat. No.
6,027,564, issued Feb. 22, 2000, and entitled "Low Vacuum Process
for Producing Epitaxial Layers," U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,752, issued
Feb. 20, 2001, and entitled "Thin Films Having Rock-Salt-Like
Structure Deposited on Amorphous Surfaces,` PCT Publication No. WO
00/58530, published on Oct. 5, 2000, and entitled "Alloy
Materials," PCT Publication No. WO/58044, published on Oct. 5,
2000, and entitled "Alloy Materials," PCT Publication No. WO
99/17307, published on Apr. 8, 1999, and entitled "Substrates with
Improved Oxidation Resistance," PCT Publication No. WO 99/16941,
published on Apr. 8, 1999, and entitled "Substrates for
Superconductors," PCT Publication No. WO 98/58415, published on
Dec. 23, 1998, and entitled "Controlled Conversion of Metal
Oxyfluorides into Superconducting Oxides," PCT Publication No. WO
01/11428, published on Feb. 15, 2001, and entitled "Multi-Layer
Articles and Methods of Making Same," PCT Publication No. WO
01/08232, published on Feb. 1, 2001, and entitled "Multi-Layer
Articles And Methods Of Making Same," PCT Publication No. WO
01/08235, published on Feb. 1, 2001, and entitled "Methods And
Compositions For Making A Multi-Layer Article," PCT Publication No.
WO 01/08236, published on Feb. 1, 2001, and entitled "Coated
Conductor Thick Film Precursor", PCT Publication No. WO 01/08169,
published on Feb. 1, 2001, and entitled "Coated Conductors With
Reduced A.C. Loss" PCT Publication No. WO 01/15245, published on
Mar. 1, 2001, and entitled "Surface Control Alloy Substrates And
Methods Of Manufacture Therefor," PCT Publication No. WO 01/08170,
published on Feb. 1, 2001, and entitled "Enhanced Purity Oxide
Layer Formation," PCT Publication No. WO 01/26164, published on
Apr. 12, 2001, and entitled "Control of Oxide Layer Reaction
Rates," PCT Publication No. WO 01/26165, published on Apr. 12,
2001, and entitled "Oxide Layer Method," PCT Publication No. WO
01/08233, published on Feb. 1, 2001, and entitled "Enhanced High
Temperature Coated Superconductors," PCT Publication No. WO
01/08231, published on Feb. 1, 2001, and entitled "Methods of
Making A Superconductor," PCT Publication No. WO 02/35615,
published on Apr. 20, 2002, and entitled "Precursor Solutions and
Methods of Using Same," U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/579,193, filed on May 26, 2000, and entitled, "Oxide Bronze
Compositions And Textured Articles Manufactured In Accordance
Therewith;" and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/309,116, filed on Jul. 31, 2001, and entitled "Multi-Layer
Superconductors And Methods Of Making Same;" U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/208,134, filed on Jul. 30, 2002, and
entitled "Superconductor Methods and Reactor;" and U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/308,957, filed on Jul. 31, 2001, and
entitled "Superconductor Methods and Reactors;" and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/166,297, filed on Nov.
18, 1999, and entitled "Superconductor Articles and Compositions
and Methods for Making Same;" and commonly owned U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/615,999, filed on Jul. 14, 2000, and
entitled "Superconductor Articles and Compositions and Methods for
Making Same;" and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/477,613,
filed Jun. 10, 2003, and entitled "Superconductor Methods and
Reactors;" and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/858,309, filed Jun. 4,
2004, and entitled "Superconductor Methods and Reactors;" and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/955,875, filed on Sep. 29, 2004, and
entitled "Low AC Loss Filamentary Coated Superconductors;" and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/955,801, filed on Sep. 29, 2004, and
entitled "Stacked Filamentary Superconductors;" and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/667,001, filed on Mar.
31, 2005, and entitled "Mesh-Type Stabilizer for Filamentary Coated
Superconductors;" and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,
filed on an even date herewith, and entitled "High Temperature
Superconducting Wires and Coils," all of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
* * * * *